The quality of care provided by the Beacon Primary Care in Skelmersdale - which has a practice in Ormskirk - has been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission.

The inspection team, which included a GP and a practice manager as specialist advisors, rated the services provided by Beacon Primary Care as Outstanding for older people, people with long-term conditions, people whose circumstances may make them vulnerable, and those experiencing poor mental health.

The practice operates across three sites and has more than 11,600 registered patients. Inspectors visited the practice’s main site at Sandy Lane Health Centre and the site on Railway Road in Ormskirk.

Under CQC’s programme of inspections, all of England’s GP practices are being given a rating according to whether they are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

Sue McMillan, Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice in the North, said: "It is clear that Beacon Primary Care is providing an effective, responsive and well-led service which is a real asset to the people living in this part of Lancashire.

"Feedback from patients was overwhelmingly positive and many commented that staff listened to them and acted on their suggestions.

"We found that the practice displayed an excellent understanding of the differing needs of their patients and staff demonstrated a commitment to help and support them.

"All of this hard work pays off in making a real difference to patients – which is why we have found this practice to be Outstanding."

A GP and spokesperson for Beacon Primary Care, said: "We are thrilled with this rating from the CQC, which is a testament to our hardworking team and reflects our commitment to patients and delivering quality care.

"We realise that we don’t get it right all of the time and that there are always improvements to be made. We acknowledge that, as all GP practices are, we are currently facing difficult times with recruitment and that patients often face longer waits for appointments.

"However, we will continue to embrace technology where possible and find other new innovative ways of working efficiently so we can continue supporting patients to the best of our ability”.